THE EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON A MAXIMUM INCISAL BITE FORCE IN MAN

The maximum bite force an individual can exert on an upper central inc isor when the force is transmitted through a point on the incisal edge (no cover) was compared with maximum bite force when distributed over a full acrylic cap (full cover). Eighteen participants rapidly produc ed a maximum bite force three times each under no-cover and full-cover conditions. The magnitude and direction of the maximum bite force wer e monitored by a transducer placed between upper and lower incisors. T here was no significant change in the direction of the bite force unde r the two conditions. The average maximum bite force was significantly larger (mean = 4.9%, SD = 4.6%, p < 0.001) in the full-cover conditio n. The increase in maximum bile force was attributed to the reduced pr essure on the crown under the full-cover condition when compared with the no-cover condition. This implies the existence of mechanoreceptors within the pulp of a tooth because periodontal mechanoreceptors can a ffect feedback only by monitoring differences in the force on a tooth, not differences in pressure on the crown. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science L td.